Charity boxer Toni will get in the ring for little fighter Kian Musgrove

Boxer Toni Pandeles is taking to the ring to raise money for Kian Musgrove.

Toni, 27, from Dean Road, South Shields, is to compete in a charity boxing match to raise cash for toddler Kian Musgrove.

She will be fighting as part of The Ultimate White Collar Boxing Match, which is being staged at The Customs House, South Shields, on February 21.

She will represent Brinkburn Community Boxing Association when she competes in one of 17 fights on the day against other opponents from other clubs in South Tyneside.

It will be her second boxing match.

Miss Pandeles said: “I have just started training with Brinkburn Community Association Boxing Club. I put in for a fight as a one-off a few years ago and I am really enjoying the training this time around.

“I am Facebook friends with Kian’s mam Kat and I felt sorry for him. I wanted to do something to help him, so I got in touch with her to see if I could do it for him.

“With him being so young, it is horrible to see him suffer.”

Miss Pandeles will also be fighting in memory of her dad, David Seymour, who died aged 43 of pneumonia and blood poisoning in 2010.

So far she has raised £110 in sponsorship and hopes to raise more through the sale of tickets.

Newcastle toddler Kian, whose grandmother lives in South Tyneside, has spent the majority of his life battling neuroblastoma – a rare cancer which develops in nerve cells.

He’s already been to America for treatment but, after the disease returned, his family needs to raise the funds to take him again.

The two-year-old was first diagnosed with stage four of the disease in October 2013, but after medical treatment, the cancer was no longer detectable.

However, his family were told there was an 80% chance it could return.

In November, their worst fears were realised when traces of the killer disease were found on scans.

They now face the prospect of having to raise £500,000 for specialist treatment only available in America.

The Ultimate White Collar Boxing Match will start at 2pm on February 21 in the main theatre at The Customs House.

Tickets are £25 and VIP tickets are £35. To book, call 0191 454 1234.